Hotels

Live like a local at this quiet homestay, in a leafy Indore neighbourhood

Even before you reach Indore, you know you are going to be well looked after. Gokul Homestay’s host Suresh Bhagwat called us to enquire about our time of arrival and to ensure we followed his pin on Google Maps. We reached the quiet, tree-lined colony in Vijay Nagar with ease. The twin-storey house with an external staircase leading up to a small terrace and four rooms, serves as a good base to explore Indore. Rooms are simple, the sit-outs lovely and perfect for birdwatching. For those who need it, there is excellent Wi-Fi available.

Breakfast consists of poha, sev, and tea made by Bhagwat’s wife Sujata. As we ate, Bhagwat shared with us the story of how his forefathers came to Indore from Maharashtra. “The Holkars of Indore, Scindias of Gwalior, Dhar, Dewas and poha; there’s a lot of Maratha influence here,” he pointed out.

It was an MP Tourism advertisement for a homestay workshop that triggered Bhagwat’s foray into hospitality. Having retired in 2010, and become recent empty nesters, it seemed like the ideal time to try something new. That’s how they happened to throw their home open to visitors.

Abhinandita Mathur

A comfortable, if modest, bedroom at Gokul homestay

The Bhagwats’ endearing hospitality ensures Gokul is a proverbial home away from home in Indore. They’ve had over 200 guests in 2016, including many foreigners.

Chat with the host for tips on where to eat and local sightseeing. The Khajrana Ganesh temple, for instance, is 5 km away, Central Museum and Zoo are around 7 km away, and Rajwada and the street food of Sarafa are at a distance of about 8 km.